— Peretei hails Aiyedatiwa, Adetimehin, Tunji-Ojo for support
Members of the Nigeria Workstation, a grassroots media advocacy, research and strategy group, have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring the move as the end of opposition politics in Ondo State.
The convener of the group, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, made this known on Wednesday at the Akure City Hall during the formal declaration ceremony.
Peretei, who anchored his speech on Harold Laswell’s definition of politics as “who gets what, when and how”, said politics without being in government amounted to a mere social club activity.
He explained that while Nigeria should not operate as a one-party state, opposition leadership in the country had failed to be deliberate, coordinated and focused on winning elections to form government.
According to him, this lack of strategic direction prompted members of the Nigeria Workstation, comprising former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA) to join forces with the APC.
He also disclosed that members of the Sunshine Grassroots Network, a group mandated to realign remnants of the opposition with the APC, were part of the defection.
Peretei referenced recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu by opposition figures over alleged attempts to foist a single party system on Nigeria, quoting the President’s response: “It is not my business to organise the opposition.”
“With what you have witnessed today, the last plank of the opposition in Ondo State has collapsed. From today, there is only one party in Ondo State, and that is the APC,” Peretei declared.
He, however, noted that the event only represented a fraction of the group’s numerical strength, as it was impossible to mobilise all members to Akure City Hall, adding that the political significance of the defection would be felt in the next election cycle.
Peretei expressed gratitude to the APC leadership in the state, particularly the State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, and the State Executive Committee, for welcoming them into the party.
He also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his role in facilitating the defection, describing him as “fantastic” during the build-up to the ceremony.
The convener further extended appreciation to Ambassador Sola Iji, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, for his support, and acknowledged other APC stakeholders who graced the event, including Dr. Tob Loko, Ondo State Commissioner for Environment; High Chief Ebi Molos; High Chief J.M. Magi; and High Chief P.M.S. Olopele.
He also appreciated those who could not attend but sent their goodwill messages, mentioning Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube and Chief Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO), describing their gestures as “endorsement” of the defection.
Peretei gave special recognition to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whom he described as “the Star Boy of the Tinubu administration”, for providing a “Rock of Gibraltar kind of support” in making the event a success.
He concluded by thanking all contributors who made the defection possible, saying, “It is impossible to mention all those who have made this happen by name. To all of them, we appreciate. Thanks and God bless.”
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